The Long family farm on Hopewell Road in Atkins is mourning the loss of Buddy, a five-year-old charlet bull, who was found shot dead on Aug. 29.

Angela Nogosek found Buddy, the family’s pet and breeder bull, dead, lying by the fence when she and her husband did their evening rounds on the family farm.

After a local veterinarian told Nogosek that the bull appeared to have been shot, she contacted the Pope County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) the next morning and investigator Erick Riggs investigated.

Riggs said the bull appeared to have been shot multiple times.

“This crime might be tied with other crimes in the county,” Riggs said. “We don’t want to give away too much while the investigation is open. It does appear to be a random act of criminal mischief. We do not think that it was aimed at the Long family in particular.”

Riggs said residents should not worry about protecting their livestock or family pets from incidents like this. He stressed that it appeared to be a random act carried by someone or persons who were not using good judgment.

Buddy was a five-year--old charlet who weighted approximately 1,500 pounds and is estimated to be worth $2,000 to the family.

Buddy currently has 30 calves he sired at the Long family farm, so Nagosek said his legacy will live on. He was the only stud bull on the farm with 30-40 breeding heifers.

Nogosek said the tragedy was especially difficult to the family because not only was Buddy a breeder, he was the family pet.

Curt Long, Nogosek’s grandpa, raised Buddy to be a gentle bull who loved people and would eat out of the palm of a hand.

When Long would make his daily feeding rounds, Buddy would often times eat his sweet feed straight from the car.

“Buddy loved that sweet feed,” Nogosek said sadly. “Grandpa and grandma would open the car door or roll the window down and Buddy would eat straight out of the car. He was just a really sweet and gentle bull. Grandpa raised him to be that way.”

Long died in December and Nogosek’s grandmother said Buddy was one of the last things she had left of her husband’s that he dearly loved.

Nogosek said Buddy could never be replaced.

“I just can’t imagine why someone would do this,” Nogosek said. “He looked to have been shot many times from his butt to his head. We found him lying with his feet up right by the fence. We really need to find who did this. My grandma really needs to know.”

Nogosek’s grandma is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to call (501) 215-9971.

Riggs said the PCSO is treating this crime seriously.

“We’re taking this matter very serious,” Riggs said. “Evidence is still being investigated and we do have persons of interest. This was more than just a cow to these people, it was their livelihood.”

The Pope County prosecutor’s office said depending on the charges eventually filed when the suspect(s) are caught, there could hefty consequences for the crime.

The suspect(s) face a potential charge of criminal mischief, that if the amount of property (Buddy) damaged is verified to be of more than $1,000 in value, could be raised to a class D felony which could carry a $10,000 fine an up to six years in prison.

A charge of cruelty to animals, also a potential charge, carries a fine between $150-$1,000 and jail time of up to one year or probation in lieu of jail time.

“This is a serious matter,” Riggs said. “Anyone with information needs to contact the Sheriff’s Office.”

Riggs said this is the first time in the five years he has worked for the PCSO that he has been called to investigate the shooting of a bull.